Keep creating, keep dreaming, keep growing, and always, face the sun.
************Follow our FB link to read our origin story.*****************
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Mission Statement
At 100 shoeboxes, we believe every child deserves moments of creativity, wonder, and joy. Our mission is to build and distribute thoughtfully curated shoeboxes filled with art supplies, activities, books, and engaging treasures that nurture imagination, self-expression, and hope in the lives of children who need it most.
A shoebox may seem small, but to a child it can open a world of possibility. 100 shoeboxes exists to fill children's hearts and hands with creativity, comfort, and fun by providing boxes overflowing with art supplies, activities, books, and little surprises. Each box is thoughtfully assembled to spark imagination, encourage self-expression, and let children know they are loved and remembered.
Packing Joy, One Shoebox at a Time.
At the heart of every 100 shoeboxes gift is a small packet of sunflower seeds.
Sunflowers have a remarkable way of turning toward the sun as they grow, seeking light even through changing skies. We hope these tiny seeds become a meaningful reminder for every child who receives them: no matter what challenges they face, they can continue to reach for hope, joy, and brighter days ahead.
Origin Story
The Story of 100 Shoeboxes
Once upon a time, a single mom in her twenties dreamed of starting a nonprofit organization to help single mothers and children just like her.
She poured her heart into researching, planning, and imagining all the ways she could make a difference. She had ideas, goals, and a vision of creating something beautiful. But life has a way of changing our plans, and for a season, that dream had to be lovingly tucked away.
More than twenty years later, after the sudden and heartbreaking loss of her mother, that same girl, was carefully sorting through her mother’s belongings. Among treasured keepsakes and handwritten notes, she found a simple list.
On that list were the words: “100 Shoeboxes.”
The moment she read them, she instantly knew what they meant. Her mother had wanted to fill one hundred shoeboxes with gifts for children.
In that instant, memories came rushing back. She remembered the charity she had once dreamed of creating. She remembered the countless acts of kindness that had always been woven into the fabric of their lives.
She knew, without question, that this was the way to honor her mother.
And so, 100 Shoeboxes was born.
A tribute to a remarkable mother-daughter bond.
Both women had been single mothers. Both had spent their lives giving back to others—offering love, support, encouragement, and care to children, other mothers, and seniors whenever they could.
Now, that legacy of kindness continues.
Each 100 Shoeboxes gift box is thoughtfully filled with treasures meant to bring comfort, creativity, and joy.
Art supplies to inspire imagination and smiles. Cozy plushies to hug during difficult moments. Books, activities, and little surprises that remind each recipient:
You matter.
You are seen.
Your possibilities are endless.
And tucked inside each box is a small pouch of sunflower seeds.
Sunflowers were her mother’s favorite flower.
They spend their lives turning toward the sun as they grow—a gentle reminder that even through difficult seasons, we can continue to seek light, find a smile , and keep growing.
Sometimes the simplest things can make someone’s day: planting seeds, coloring a picture, cuddling a plush friend, or receiving a package that says, “Someone thought of you.”
We will begin by serving children through these special boxes.
In time, we plan to expand our mission to create meaningful surprises for seniors and, next, for single mothers who could use a reminder that they are not alone.
This is more than a charity.
It is a love story.
A mother’s love passed to her daughter. A daughter’s love shared with the world.
And now, you are invited to be part of it.
Through your tax-deductible donations, your encouragement, your ideas, and your generosity, you can help us fill these boxes with smiles and deliver them to those who need them.
Together, we can create moments of comfort, wonder, and joy. Because one small box can hold so much more than gifts.
It can hold kindness.
It can hold a peaceful smile .
It can hold healing.
And sometimes, it can hold the beginning of something beautiful.
100 Shoeboxes
Packing Joy. Planting Possibility.facing the Sun.